Chapter 706: Empress Zhangsun pleads for mercy

The Inner Palace.

The news that the two Imperial Princes of the Great Tang were about to hold a duel quickly spread into the Inner Palace.

Upon hearing this news, Princess Changle immediately went to find Empress Zhangsun.

"Mother, Li Tai and Li Ke are going to duel!"

Empress Zhangsun nearly fainted upon hearing this news.

"Why are the two of them doing this? Even if they want to contend for the Crown Prince position, they shouldn't be dueling in Changancheng."

Princess Changle was also very confused.

The news she heard from the palace servants only gave a general idea.

Spare Li Tai

"They said that in the Great Hall, His Majesty personally demanded they duel! I don't know why Brother-in-law would do such a thing?"

Empress Zhangsun panicked upon hearing that it was Qin Mu's intention.

She understood Qin Mu; his words were not to be changed!

If it was Qin Mu's arrangement, these two brothers would likely fight to the death!

Flustered in her heart, she could no longer bother talking to Princess Changle.

She took off running, losing the dignity she once held as the Empress of the Great Tang.

She ran in one breath to the Imperial Study.

"Mu'er, how could you let Li Tai and Li Ke duel? The two of them are your..."

She stopped halfway through, unable to continue.

At this moment.

Qin Mu was staring at her with wide eyes.

Regarding his identity, he had always refused to acknowledge it. Therefore, he considered himself to have no relation to Li Tai or Li Ke.

"My Lady, it's not that I want to criticize you. You cannot be unaware of what kind of person Li Tai is. Why is such a person worth pitying?" This was the first time Empress Zhangsun had been rebuked by Qin Mu.

A look of shame appeared on her face, and tears could no longer be held back from sliding out of her eyes.

"I truly did not raise Qingque well, but he is my own son after all!"

With a wail, she burst into tears.

This cry made Qin Mu feel a bit uncomfortable.

He furrowed his brows.

But he could not possibly tell Empress Zhangsun the truth.

"Li Tai arranged for Japanese pirates to assassinate Li Ke outside Changancheng. He has already committed the grave crimes of murder and collusion with the enemy!

From now on, you should just consider Li Tai dead!"

These words left Empress Zhangsun stunned.

She did not yet know that Li Tai had done such a thing?

To someone who had once been an Empress, such a thing sounded shocking. Li Tai was actually capable of doing this?

He was only a teenager!

But Empress Zhangsun knew that Qin Mu never spoke lies. Since he said so, this matter must be true.

Having done such a thing, it was no wonder Qin Mu had arranged for Li Tai and Li Ke to duel!

Yet, her heart still ached.

"Mu'er, I know Li Tai has done many things wrong. But can you spare his life? As long as he can live out his days in peace, I will be satisfied."

For Empress Zhangsun, this was her final duty as a mother.

But even so, Qin Mu was unwilling to agree.